A joint operation
involving the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New
Zealand (OFCANZ), Customs and Police, has intercepted 3.3
kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in skincare and shampoo
bottles posted from Hong Kong to New Zealand.

On 5 March,
Customs officers at the International Mail Centre in
Auckland intercepted nine bottles of skincare product that
contained traces of methamphetamine.

The methamphetamine
had been cleverly concealed but this was not beyond
Customs’ detection by it various operational
techniques.

Detective Snr Sgt Colin Parmenter said an
individual or group of individuals went to a lot of effort
to try and smuggle the methamphetamine into New Zealand
without being detected.

OFCANZ and Customs officers
immediately launched a surveillance operation code-named
Operation Grit to track the intended path of the shipment.

A second consignment containing 1.9 kilograms of
methamphetamine, also hidden in shampoo bottles, was
intercepted by Customs at the International Mail
Centre.

In total, the 3.3 kilograms of methamphetamine
seized during Operation Grit has a street value of up to
$3.3 million.

Customs Manager Investigations Maurice
O’Brien says the seizure was a very good example of
Customs traditional work at the border and that this
operation raised the level of co-operation between Customs
and OFCANZ. There are noticeable efficiencies to be gained
in continuing to combine our resources and expertise to
mitigate the risk that importation of illicit controlled
drugs poses to our community by international
criminals.

Earlier today, a 39 year old New Zealand
citizen appeared in Manukau District Court charged with a
number of drug related offences including Possession of a
Class A Controlled Drug for Supply.

A 24 year old Chinese
national was also charged this morning with a range of
offences including Importing a Class A Controlled Drug.

A
third defendant, who is a 22 year old Chinese national, has
also been charged with Possession of a Class A Controlled
Drug for Supply.

ENDS

Note: The Organised and Financial
Crime Agency of New Zealand (OFCANZ) targets, investigates,
and disrupts individuals and groups involved in organised
crime in New Zealand and trans-nationally. Established in
2008 OFCANZ also leads, coordinates and contributes to
policy or legislative changes to make it harder for
organised criminals to operate in New Zealand. In addition
OFCANZ works with the private sector to reduce the
opportunities for organised crime and raises public
awareness of organised crime and the harm it causes to New
Zealanders.

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